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Tag: vehicles

Wike: I’ve recovered 10 stolen govt vehicles

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike yesterday said he has recovered 10 vehicles allegedly stolen by officials of the Rotimi Amaechi administration.

Wike, in a statement by his aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, said: “ In a bid to recover government property looted from Government House, Port Harcourt, security agencies on Monday evening took possession of 10 vehicles stolen by officials of the immediate-past administration in the state.

“The looted vehicles were recovered from two locations- Rumuokparali and Trans-Amadi in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.”

He gave the details of the recovered vehicles as: 1 Coaster Bus, 2 Nissan Urvan buses, 2 Higer vehicles, 1 Land Cruiser, 1 Toyota Hilux Pick Up, 1 Peugeot 607 Saloon and 2 Peugeot 406 cars.

He added that: “The security operatives who conducted the operation were accompanied to the locations by some Government House staff. Already, security operatives are quizzing those found at the locations where the stolen vehicles were recovered. The recovery process is an ongoing exercise.”

He pledged that all stolen government property would be recovered and those found to have engaged in the criminal act made to face the full wrath of the law.

Wike, on assumption of duty, claimed to have uncovered massive looting of government property and facilities by the immediate past administration. Amaechi has denied the allegations, saying Wike was on a witch hunt mission.

The governor also took Rivers PDP leaders on a tour of the Government House, Port Harcourt.

June 10, 2015
Articulated vehicles and road mishaps
SIR: For obvious reasons, Lagos will continue to attract articulated vehicles and trucks because of its prime socio-economic status. Lagos houses 22 industrial estates, 60% of nation‘s industrial and commercial ventures, 70% of national maritime cargos and consume about 50% of petroleum products in the country. Additionally, Lagos is home to about 2,000 industrial complexes, 10,000 commercial ventures and 22 industrial estates. It accounts for over 60% of Nigeria’s industrial and commercial activities; 70% of national maritime cargo freight, over 80% of international aviation traffic and over 50% of Nigeria’s energy consumption.

Also, the two seaports in Lagos account for 70 percent of the sea trade in the country while about 80percent of international air travels arrive in and depart from Lagos. Aside this, Lagos consumes about 45 percent of the petroleum products in the country.

With all these indicators, it would be difficult, for now, to banish articulated vehicles and trucks on Lagos roads. However, with the cooperation of major stakeholders in related sectors, the havoc being wrecked on lives and properties by articulated vehicles on residents in the state could be grossly reduced. For- instance, the continuous importation of locally consumed fuel in the country, arising from the inability of the federal government to fix local refineries, places serious burden on the state. With more than 50 fuel depots in Lagos alone, at least over 3,000 trucks travel to the state on a daily basis to lift petroleum products. This situation makes it rather difficult for relevant agencies of the state to properly monitor and control activities of trucks and articulated vehicles drivers in the state. To redress the current trend, the Federal Government would need to urgently revive the failed national refineries. Various stakeholders in the oil sector need to ingeniously look into the petroleum distributive arrangement to evolve a more scientific and less cumbersome order of distribution.

Equally, the Federal Government needs to invest massively in the infrastructure development of the transportation sector. Investment in transportation infrastructure enhances private sector activities as it lowers operational cost; enhances productivity, job and wealth creation through exchange of goods and services. Infrastructure development in the sector is, therefore, critical to achieving human capital development in the country. One vital way through which this could be done is for the Federal Government to de-emphasise road transportation and revitalize rail transportation. If this is done, it could help, in no small way, to reduce carnage on our roads. It is a cheaper, effective and less cumbersome mode of transportation. Through rails, millions of litres of fuel and, indeed, people, goods and products, could be effectively and effortlessly transported across the country.

In addition, vehicle inspectors must regularly ensure that only roadworthy vehicles are on the road. Unlatched trucks must not be allowed to ply our roads. Sales of drugs and alcoholic drinks at motor parks should be discouraged. Drivers’ unions must educate their members on safety issues while erring members must be sanctioned by relevant authorities. This is the time to stop avoidable and worthless loss of lives and properties.
- Tayo Ogunbiyi
Ministry of Information and Strategy,

Alausa, Ikeja.
June 8, 2015
69 die, 15 vehicles burnt in Onitsha petrol tanker fire

Onitsha the Southeast’s commercial capital, was thrown into mourning yesterday as no fewer than 50 persons were burnt to death from the fire that broke out after a fuel-laden tanker rammed into a building.

At least 15 L300 buses were also burnt. The tragedy occurred at about 3pm at Upper Iweka Roundabout when the tanker conveying fuel to Asaba in Delta State fell and got burnt.

Governor Willie Obiano, who rushed to the scene, was moved to tears.

The burnt buses were parked inside the motor park. Three motorcycles were also burnt.

Residents gathered at the scene, crying as rescue efforts were ongoing.

Among the dead were an expectant woman and little children, it was learnt.

Most of the victims were passengers and readers at a newspaper stand.

The Nigerian Red Cross Society Chairman in Anambra State, Prof. Peter Emeka Kathy, confirming the death toll said: ”We have 69 burnt to death persons as at now. There are also 30 injured in the hospitals.

The dead have been evaluated to various mortuaries in Onitsha, from Toronto to St Charles Boromneo Mortuaries and others in town”.

He said the bodies will be evacuated tomorrow from the mortuaries to the teaching hospital for the necessary tests “because many of them were burnt beyond recognition.” According to an eye witness, Victor Ugwummadu, the driver of the tanker was descending the Upper Iweka flyover from the Enugu-Nkpor end of the expressway when he lost control of the vehicle.

Ugwummadu said the tanker caught fire a few minutes after hitting into the building.

It is believed that the tanker’s brakes may have collapsed.

Anambra State Police Commissioner Hosea Karma was at Upper Iweka with top security chiefs as the charred remains of the victims were being evacuated by Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) officials.

Another eye witness, Sunday Ogbuji, described the incident as “terrible”.

As at 5.15pm yesterday, the charred bodies were still being evacuated by security and paramilitary operatives to nearby Toronto Hospital at Upper Iweka.

Police chief Hosea Karma described the incident as “a tragedy which is unfortunate”.

According to him, the tanker was coming from Oguta Road end of Onitsha and was trying to link Owerri Road with loaded PMS. It lost control, falling on top of the building. It caught fire.

The police chief said all the passengers inside those buses – he put the figure at 12 – were burnt beyond recognition.

He added that the injured were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. He did not mention the hospital’s name.

Karma did not give the total figure of the dead, saying evacuation and mop-up was ongoing.

Commissioner for Transport Chief Chuma Mbonu described the incident at Upper Iweka as “tragic” and “unfortunate”.

He confirmed that 14 vehicles were burnt and scores trapped.

Karna did not disclose the number of the dead, saying the announcement would be made after the government must have got the right figure.

June 1, 2015
One injured as container falls on three vehicles

One person was injured yesterday when a 20-foot container fell off its truck, destroying a commercial bus popularly called Danfo marked XZ 334 EPE, a black Nissan Xterra Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with number plate LA 30 A06 and a tricycle popularly called Keke Marwa at Olosha Bus stop on Agege Motor Road, Mushin.

Passersby and commercial bus drivers rushed to rescue the injured.

The container was loaded with vehicle parts.

The accident, which occurred around 10am, caused heavy traffic, which lasted for over five hours.

The traffic, which affected the Lagos bound lane, stretched to Moshalashi Bus stop.

Hoodlums initially prevented Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials from evacuating the container, demanding to see the truck owner because the damaged Danfo belongs to one of them.

They wanted assurance that he would repair the bus before the container could be removed.

It took police intervention to restore normalcy.

LASTMA officials strive to keep traffic moving.

There were repeated announcements on Lagos Traffic Radio, urging motorists to seek alternative routes

A presenter said the road was blocked around Moshalashi Bus Stop to pave the way for easy evacuation of the container.

Motorists heading to Mushin from Ojuelegba, Yaba axis were diverted to Ikorodu road to Oshodi and back to Mushin.

A woman at the rear of the commercial bus was injured; she was given first aid.

According to a LASTMA official, the elderly woman refused to wait for Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) officials despite being told that she would not pay for the service.

“The woman asked to be taken home; some people contributed money to get her a cab,” he said.

An eyewitness blamed the accident on the bad portion of the road at Olosha Bus stop.

“The only cause of this accident is the bad road you are looking at. If the road is not bad, there won’t be any accident here and this road has been like this for years. All we want is to rehabilitate the road,” he said.

Another eyewitness told The Nation: “At first, there was a traffic caused by the bad road. It was the time that the container got to that spot and fell off the track. If the road is good the container won’t fall. Two containers fell at this same spot last year and this year, we have recorded the second one. Government should repair this road for us; else more of these accidents should be expected.”

The Nissan SUV driver, Mr Akeem Fagbemi thanked God for sparing his life.

“I was on my way to deliver a letter from work and all I saw was the container falling on us but I thank God it is not more than this,” Fagbemi said.

Benjamin Nwachukwu, the tricycle driver said the truck driver was in a hurry.

“What I can say is that accident has been happening here because I remember one happened two weeks ago and now today again. Trucks carrying containers pass here every day but their drivers are very careful but this particular one was not. He was in a hurry and you can see the gap I gave him. I thank God that no life was lost except one woman who was injured but she has been taken to the hospital,” Nwachukwu said.

The commercial bus driver looked depressed; he refused to speak with reporters.

May 7, 2015
Police recover 23 vehicles, 17 in Ibadan

The police in Oyo State have recorded a major breakthrough with the recovery of 23 vehicles, 17 motorcycles and 3,000 live ammunition.

Commissioner of Police Muhammad Katsina aanounced this while parading the suspects and the recovered vehicles at the state headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, the state capital.

He said: “The cars were recovered from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kwara and Kano states. The command’s intelligence gathering has paid off.

“The Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) conducted a painstaking discreet, diligent investigation leading to the recovery of assorted cars, which were snatched from their owners and stolen from where parked.

“Two cars were recovered from Lagos, five from Ogun, two from Oyo, 11 from Kwara and Kano states.

“Adejuwon Olanipekun aka Marchal, a member of a notorious robbery gang, which specialises in snatching posh cars, was arrested on February 19 on the Lagos/Ogun State axis.

“Other suspects are Funsho Aderope Jeffery, Oyelade Ganiyu, Bala Aliu, Yahaya Mohammed (receiver based in Kano), Oladotun Oluwafemi, Babalola Kazeem and Suaibu Busari aka Damenda.

He said two locally made cut-to-size single barrel guns with two live cartridges and 49 live berretta pistol ammunition were recovered from them.

Katsina added that 17 motorcycles were also recovered from a syndicate, which rebrands stolen motorcycles.

Over 3,000 rounds of 7.6mm live ammunition were recovered from some hoodlums at Idi-Iroko community, Soka, Ibadan.

Five suspects who specialise in selling human parts were also arrested. Katsina said the suspects have excavated six graves at Muslim cemetery in Apete.

The suspects are Abati Kolade, Tayo Akinrinola, Ramon Korede, Mojeed Adediran and Saki Adediran.

Praising the policemen, Jamiu Adebayo, whose car was recovered, thanked the security operatives for their timely response.

He said:” My brother sent on an errand with his car on March 6, but on getting to Oke -Ado three people on a motorcycle told me that my tyre was flat.

“As I wanted to get down, they dragged me away and took the car. I called my brother immediately and we reported the matter to the police and our car was found two hours later.”

March 18, 2015
‘Stop using govt vehicles to convey drugs’

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ondo State has warned missionary organisations and government agencies against the use of their vehicles for conveyance of illicit drugs, especially Indian hemp.

The state commander, Ibrahim Abdul, said vehicles belonging to religious organisations and government agencies were often used to carry illicit drugs.

Abdul said a large plantation of Indian hemp was recently destroyed by NDLEA officials.

According to him, the agency arrested 30 persons for various alleged drug offences in various parts of the state.

The state commander said the agency would monitor all government vehicles henceforth.

February 23, 2015
One killed, shops, vehicles burnt in cult war

One person was killed; vehicles, shops and tricycle were burnt in renewed fighting by rival cult groups in Mushin/Idi-Araba axis of Lagos.

The factions were said to have combed streets to smoke out their targets.

Traders hurriedly closed their shops; residents retired early for fear of their lives.

According to reports, the hoodlums came around 2:30pm on Sunday shooting sporadically into the air to scare passersby.

They burnt down properties, especially shops and vehicles.

Two shops, two vehicles and one tricycle (Marwa) were burnt on Karimu Street in Mushin; shops and houses were razed in Idi Araba.

It was gathered that a 18-year-old boy staying on Awoniyi Street in Mushin who was returning from a football viewing centre, died after running into the cross fire.

A woman, whose shop was razed, said she was eating when the first gunshot went off, adding that people came rushing into her shop out of fear.

A resident said the problem of the groups was always women and money. Some of the clashes, he said, might have been fuelled by political rivalry.

His words: “I know because I found out that each time they fight, either women or money is involved. It is always one of these two. You cannot also say they are commercial motorcycle operators or members of transport unions. The two factions cannot be said to be members of a particular profession. They belong to all professions. What is common is they are rivals and they apply dangerous weapons to fight one another”.

Detachments of policemen reportedly kept vigil in those areas between Sunday and yesterday.

Another resident appealed to the state and Federal Government to deploy soldiers in the area, “so that those who come every day to destroy properties and disturb our peace can be checked”.

He said: “I have been staying in this area for over 10 years and I have witnessed over 30 of this disturbance. It is a matter of every other day occurrence. Why should things be this bad in a state where there is a government? The police seem unable to control the two factions because they know those involved but they cannot arrest them. So many people are being killed accidentally in crisis they don’t know anything about. It is time the state and Federal Government met to solve the Mushin/Idi-Araba uprisings”.

Police spokesman Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP) said the situation had been brought under control, adding people were now going about with their lawful business.

The police, he said, were getting to the root of the problem, adding: “Our men will continue to be on ground to make the place unsafe for hoodlums and secure for residents and businesses”.

February 19, 2015
Police get 2,564 vehicles

The Federal Government has procured over 2,564 vehicles for the police as part of the facilities needed for the general elections.

Vice President Namadi Sambo, who launched the vehicles in Abuja yesterday, said the procurement was part of the implementation of the police reform programme.

He explained that the programme would enable the police to have the infrastructure needed to ensure the safety of the citizens.

Some of the vehicles commissioned include 170 Nissan NP 300 Hard Body Patrol Pick Up Vans; 129 Nissan Frontier Double Cabin Patrol Vehicles; 50 Nissan Patrol 4WD Jeeps; 10 Toyota Double Cabin Armoured Patrol Van; and four Ford 550 Model 4×4 armoured personnel carriers.

February 2, 2015
Ebola: FG supplies vehicles, motorcycles for border checks

The federal government has provided vehicles and motorcycles to effectively man strategic borders as part of measures to contain the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

The Minister of State for Health, Dr Halliru Alhassan, disclosed this yesterday in Sokoto while briefing newsmen on efforts to contain the deadly disease.

Alhassan said his ministry has mapped out a collaborative mechanism with the Ministry of Interior as well as its agencies against the disease.

He explained that the initiative was aimed at adequately manning the nation’s porous borders.

According to him:”The federal government is up and doing with a view not to take any chances.”

The minister said the federal government has formed a specialised rapid response team to totally deal with the menace.

The team, he said, consists of doctors, medical laboratory scientists and other medical professionals.

According to him: “The major challenge is getting the understanding of Nigerians, especially those under quarantine.”

“Over 400 persons are still under observation while only one case is outstanding in Lagos with two isolation centres currently in operation in Lagos and Port Harcourt,” he explained.

On the residency programme, the minister said that the federal government has not sacked any resident doctor.

“The federal government only stopped the residency programme because they went on strike. But it will be reviewed,” he maintained.

August 31, 2014
Nissan’s made-in-Nigeria vehicles go on sale

The made-in-Nigeria Hyundai vehicles have gone into commercial sales in the country, the Stallion Group said yesterday.

They are being sold at prices between N1.594 million and N1.990, the Group Managing Director of Stallion Automobile Division, Aprvir Singh, said .

Stallion Goup Chairman Sunil Vaswani said the vehicles being assembled at the Hyundai Motor Plant in Lagos are “affordably priced,” in order to give Nigerians a break from the strangle-hold of wholesale vehicle importers.

Some of the Hyundai passenger cars which are priced between NGN1.5m and NGN1.9m, are i10, Grand, Accent,Elantra and iX35.

In the truck and bus segments, the 10-ton HD160, seven-ton HD 120, five-ton HD78 and three-ton HD65 as well as 28+1 seater Hyundai County bus and 30-seater Stallion County bus are now being supplied to the market.

The company announced last month the commencement of locally-produced Hyundai range of vehicles, having inaugurated and rolled out the first set of made-in-Nigeria Nissan automobiles in April.

Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited’s plant Managing Director Tokunbo Aromolaran said the vehicles are certified to the world’s highest automotive operating standard – ISO/TS 16949.” ISO/TS 16949 is the highest automotive operating standard in the world and its benefits include improved quality processes at the facility along with streaming supply chains both leading to a better overall product,” said.

The plant supported its ambitious growth plans by prioritising the need for a faster and more efficient environment to facilitate concurrent product development and support a rapidly changing requirement for a vehicle programme, Mr. Aromolaran added. He said: “Today, we are glad to inform Nigerians that we have delivered on our promise to make available affordably priced vehicles – thanks to strong-willed President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the indefatigable supervisory roles of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment headed by Dr. Olusegun Aganga.”

The plant director added that the first phase of delivery, established a system of record for the complete vehicle programme which will gradually be expanded to meet the ever-increasing demands for functional vehicle in Nigeria.

“Prospective customers can now walk into any of our dealership showrooms nationwide to buy value-driven made-in-Nigeria Hyundai certified vehicles.Hyundai i10, Grand, Xcent and Elantra are elegantly crafted functional cars with eye-popping styling, good fuel economy, and fantastic driving experience with modest starting price that is affordable to every desiring buyer,” Aromolaran assured.

Stallion Motors dealers in Lagos, Warri, Asaba, Anambra and Abakaliki have also commended the initiative, saying that this would expand customers’ options of below N2 million range of vehicles.

August 11, 2014